You’ve done the hard part.

You’ve created an incredible digital product—an eBook, a course, a preset pack, a guide. It’s valuable, and it’s ready to change lives.

You post about it on Instagram. The likes roll in. A few comments. Maybe even some saves. It feels good.

But then… silence.

The DMs you’re really waiting for—the ones that say, “This is amazing! How do I buy?”—never come. You know the sales are there, but they’re slipping through your fingers into the void of the algorithm.

What if you could change that? What if you could automate those sales conversations to start instantly, 24 hours a day, turning casual scrollers into paying customers without you ever having to send a single manual DM?

You can. And in this step-by-step guide, I’m going to show you exactly how to build a powerful, automated Instagram DM sales funnel using ManyChat to sell your digital products on autopilot.

Why Instagram DMs + ManyChat is a Non-Negotiable Combo in 2024

Let’s be clear: Instagram’s feed and story algorithms are fickle. You’re building on rented land. But Direct Messages? That’s owned territory. A DM is personal, direct, and has an incredibly high open rate—often over 70%, dwarfing email open rates.

The problem? Manually managing DMs doesn’t scale. You can’t be available 24/7 to answer questions, send links, and close sales.

This is where ManyChat changes everything.

ManyChat is a powerful messaging automation tool that lets you build conversational flows (or “chatbots”) for Instagram and Facebook. It’s not about being robotic; it’s about providing instant, helpful, and guided communication that leads a prospect naturally to a purchase.

I used to watch potential customers vanish because I couldn’t reply fast enough. Once I implemented a ManyChat flow, I started converting followers into buyers while I was asleep, at the movies, or on vacation. It’s the closest thing to a sales superpower I’ve found.

The best part? You’re not just automating spam. You’re building a targeted, permission-based sales channel. You’re only talking to people who have actively raised their hand and said, “Yes, talk to me about this.”

Ready to build your own 24/7 sales agent? Let’s dive in.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to an Automated Instagram DM Sales Funnel

Step 1: Setting Up Your ManyChat Account

First, you need your tools. Head over to ManyChat and sign up for a free account. The free plan is incredibly robust and is more than enough to get started with basic automation and selling.

During setup, you’ll connect ManyChat to your Instagram Business or Creator account. The process is straightforward and guided by ManyChat. Just ensure you’re an Admin of the Instagram account you want to connect.

Pro Tip: Once connected, go to your Instagram app, head to Settings > Privacy > Messages, and ensure “Allow Access to Messages” is ON. This allows ManyChat to operate properly.

Step 2: Designing Your DM Sales Funnel Flowchart (The Brain)

Before you touch a button in ManyChat, you must plan the conversation. This is the most critical step. Every successful automated funnel follows a simple, logical path:

1. The Trigger: How does the conversation start? (e.g., Someone clicks the link in your bio).
2. The Welcome Message: A friendly, immediate acknowledgment.
3. The Qualifying Question: This engages the user and segments your audience. It’s usually a simple “Yes/No” or button-based question.
4. The Value Delivery OR Pitch: Based on their answer, you either deliver a free lead magnet (to build trust) or present your paid product.
5. The Close & Delivery: You handle payment and deliver the digital product instantly.

Here’s a simple flow for selling an eBook:

• Trigger: User clicks “Get Guide” in your bio link.
• Welcome Message: “Hey there! Thanks for clicking. I’m so excited you’re interested in learning more about [Topic]. Are you ready to get started?”
• Qualifying Question: [User clicks “Yes”]
• Pitch & Close: “Awesome! My ultimate guide, ‘[eBook Name]’, will show you exactly how to [achieve result]. It’s packed with my best strategies. It’s just $X. Would you like to get instant access?”
• [If Yes]: “Great! Click the link below to complete your secure payment via Gumroad. As soon as you do, I’ll send your download link right here! [Payment Link]”

The key to a high-converting flow is a compelling free offer or a low-friction question that feels natural. You can’t just pitch immediately.

To help you visualize and build this instantly, I’ve created a ‘Done-For-You ManyChat Flow Template’ (PDF). It includes 5 proven funnel maps for different products. Download it for free below!

[Lead Magnet Embed Form Here – e.g., ConvertKit, Leadpages, etc.]

Step 3: Triggering the Automation (The Starting Pistol)

Your beautiful funnel is useless if no one starts it. You need to promote the entry point. Here are the three most effective ways to trigger your ManyChat automation on Instagram:

1. Profile Link (The MVP): Change the link in your bio to your unique ManyChat link (generated in the ManyChat dashboard). Use a tool like Linktree or Shorby to create a landing page with a clear call-to-action button like “Get Your Free Guide” or “Buy Now” that points to this link.
2. Story Stickers: This is gold. Use the “Question” or “Link” sticker in your Instagram Stories. Say, “Want my free SEO checklist? Click the ‘Send Message’ sticker below!” or “DM me the word ‘GUIDE’.” When users interact, it triggers your flow.
3. Comment Keyword Automation: This is incredibly powerful. In ManyChat, you can set it up so that when someone comments a specific word (e.g., “CHECKLIST”) on any of your posts, ManyChat automatically sends them a DM starting the sequence. It’s a fantastic way to capture engaged users.

Step 4: Delivering the Product & Upselling (The Payoff)

Someone just said “YES” to your pitch and sent payment. Now what? You deliver instantly, creating a magical buyer experience.

ManyChat integrates seamlessly with platforms designed for digital sales:

• Gumroad / PayPal / Stripe: The most common method. You simply send a payment link within the DM. Once the user completes payment on the external site, you can use ManyChat’s “Rule” based on them clicking the link to send a follow-up DM with the actual download link.
• ManyChat’s Native Digital Delivery: For a more seamless experience, ManyChat’s Pro plan allows you to upload your digital product directly and deliver it as a file through the chat after payment is processed. This keeps everything inside the DM window.
• The Upsell: This is where you maximize revenue. Immediately after delivery, you can have a final step in your flow: “Thanks for purchasing! To help you implement this even faster, I have an advanced video tutorial series. Would you like to add it for 50% off?” This can significantly increase your average customer value.

Conclusion: Your Instagram Sales Engine is Waiting

Let’s recap what you now have the power to build:

• An automated 24/7 sales agent that works while you sleep.
• A personalized DM funnel that guides users to a purchase.
• A system to capture leads and close sales directly on Instagram.

This isn’t theoretical; it’s a practical, step-by-step framework used by thousands of savvy digital product sellers to generate consistent, automated revenue.

You now have the blueprint. Setting this up yourself, however, requires time. You have to write compelling copy, build the flows, test the triggers, and integrate payment systems.

If you want to skip the hours of work and trial-and-error, I have a solution for you.

Introducing the Instagram DM Sales Engine.

This isn’t just a template; it’s a complete, pre-built package to get you generating sales within hours. It includes:

• 5 High-Converting ManyChat Flow Templates: Pre-built for different products (eBooks, courses, consultations), ready to import into your account.
• 20+ DM “Swipe Copy” Templates: The exact messages that convert, so you never have to wonder what to say.
• Video Tutorial Library: I walk you through every single step, from installation to advanced upselling strategies.
• Bonus: Integration Guides: Detailed instructions for connecting Gumroad, PayPal, and email marketing platforms.

Stop leaving money on the table and start building your automated sales asset today.

Get the Done-For-You “Instagram DM Sales Engine” Here